2019 Kumeu River, Village Chardonnay, Kumeu

This light-bodied, fresh style offers Chardonnay lovers the perfect midweek wine with textural panache. Kumeu's West Auckland vineyards contribute 75% of the fruit for this blend, and the remainder comes from the Dartmoor Valley in Hawke's Bay. The ripe, orchard fruit characters are typical of Hawke's Bay while the more savory bass notes are more classically Kumeu. Partial fermentation in old barrels, full malolactic and time on lees combine to bring an extra layer of interest and tactility.

45% fermented in old French oak barriques, 55% in stainless steel . Hand-harvested fruit that's sustainably grown, but not necessarily by the Brajkovich family. Light, fresh, with just the lightest whiff of fermentation aromas but lovely pure, bright fruit on the front palate. Best drunk young (Kumeu River's Aligoté?) but very well made with a fair amount of persistence, even if not much subtlety. Pure, crisp New Zealand fruit though. GV (JR)